Kantos steps forward readying himself to fight, but stops as he witnesses the unbelievable. With a slack jaw he watches the Oskari flee. They turn and disappear within securns, their only evidence of them being there is a dust trail that floats towards the darkening sky. He stands transfixed, staring up at a tawny brown mist mingling with the deep emerald sky as it begins to turn to night.

How? How did she do that?

He shakes his head, clearing his thoughts as he breaks the contact. He slumps slightly, then remembers the men around him. His head snaps up to see Neymar staring. His ruby-coloured eyes meeting his, followed by a smirk.

"We have won, eh?" Neymar says as he falls into a full on grin.

Kantos stares, keeping his face neutral as he weighs his options. Our enemy is gone. Is our peace also? With thoughts of hatred running through him, Kantos tenses. His fingers grip the hilt of his sword tightly at the contemplation of battling him again. He keeps his eyes locked on the king, so he sees Neymar's eyes flick down and notice his knuckles turning white. The king stiffens as the grin fades. He wasn't thinking of fighting me.

Relaxing his grip, Kantos inhales deeply, filing his lungs with the bitter air that surrounds them. He swallows, feeling his throat raw, wanting water more than he thought possible. He blinks and opens his mouth, "We... We have won nothing yet. But today we can count our blessings from the Gods that we live." He pauses as he takes in the scene around him for the first time. He blinks lazily as the pressure of the after effects of battle take hold. "More can not be said for the rest."

"Aye, you are right," he replies. The king stands tall, his chest out and his eyes blazing. It alarms Kantos, giving him pause to tighten his grip once again. Their subtle actions going back and forth, neither one wanting to back down.

He will never. I must be the one to offer.

Reluctantly, Kantos loosens his grip and sees the tension in Neymar relent the tiniest bit so he thrusts his broadsword into the earth and lets go. It wobbles slightly before falling still, a barrier of forged steel between them. Kantos takes half a step back and waits, hoping he hasn't misjudged the situation.

Neymar stares, his lips pursed and his sharp eyes flicking from the sword then back to Kantos. He licks his lips, then grins, before moving back to his neutral face, his royal face. "We have a reprieve, yes?"

Kantos nods, "We do." He steps forward, reaching for his sword. He releases it from the ground, flicks away the dirt then sheathes it in the scabbard strapped across his back. "We should tell our men."

"Agreed," Neymar replies before looking away.

"Good," Kantos says. He rolls his shoulders and cracks his neck, but his eyes linger on the royal in front of him. "We have a truce then?"

Neymar turns back with a smirk, "We do. For now, I suppose."

"I'll have to take that." Kantos offers his arm. Neymar looks down before stepping closer and taking it. The clasp forearms in the common greeting, their grips strong before both let go. "I will tell my men to fall back."

"I will do the same." His reply is curt and without emotion, his voice monotone. He turns once more and strides away towards his elites.

Kantos turns to the men waiting silently behind him, their faces haggard from the battle every one of them. He softens his voice, but still leaves a slight gravel. "Fall back to the cave." He lowers his voice, "Leave a patrol halfway up the slope and another just outside the entrance to keep a look out. I want to know if those things turn back and try and attack again. Take as many wounded as you can. Send what help is left." They all nod and after a moment file out in formation, lifting the wounded that can be moved.

Well, that went as best it could. Maybe there is hope... no, there will be no quarter given between us, not after what he has done.

"Calm yourself." The voice is soothing, but catches him off guard. He turns to see Aurora standing in front of him, her eyes glowing faintly from using her brightstone.

"How?" he stutters. "Nevermind, I am glad it went that way." He moves closer to her now, his body mere inches from away. He inhales and smiles, her rich scent enveloping him once more, bringing back memories of being close. "What did you say to them? To the Oskari." He spits the last.

Aurora blinks before speaking. "I gave them a choice. They could stay and die, or they could leave and live for another day." She shrugs as if uninterested. "I also told them that there were three royal descendants with brightstone's that they would have to fight." She smiles, showing herself to him like never before. Her face brightens as if glowing for all the world to see.

He sees her now and reaches forward, his fingers brushing the tips of her ears. She squints before relaxing. "They are longer, and your cheeks..." The tips of his fingers caress her cheek, then trace along the line of her jaw before stopping at her lips.

Aurora makes to look away, but he holds her staring eye to eye, green on blue. He brushes a strand of loose hair behind her ear. "Do not look away, Aurora. You are beautiful, and nothing will change that. Not majic or this war. I love you. I love you will everything I have."

Aurora blinks. Her lip twitches before the start of a smile forms, then she breaks into a broad grin as she moves closer, burying her head into his chest. "I love you too, Kantos Blakosson."

He wraps her in his arms, inhaling the scent of her. He holds her tight, not wanting to let go, to hold her until the world ends. "I love you."

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